Coaxial cable connector sub-assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relatives to male and female coaxial cable connector sub-assemblies utilizing a universal fitting crimped to the end of a coaxial cable and threadably attached to a subassembly. Each sub-assembly has a central dielectric plug pressfitted in place. A center contact or a center contact receptacle is pressed into the plug and maintained by a protecting skirt which bites into the dielectric plug. The center contact or receptacle receives a projecting portion of the coaxial cable center conductor when the universal fitting is threadably attached. In other preferred embodiments, the center contact and the corresponding center contact receptacle are each laterally supported by another dielectric plug which provides adjustment for impedance mismatch entirely through the connector subassembly.

United States Patent Ziegler, Jr. et al.

[54] COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR SUB- ASSEMBLY [72] Inventors: George William Ziegler, Jr., Carlisle; Donald Kent Hughes, Mechanicsburg,

both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. [22] Filed: June 17, 1970 [2 1] Appl. No.: 46,942

[52] U.S. Cl ..339/l77 E, 174/88 C, 339/276 R [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lr l7/04 [58] FieldoiSearch ..339/60C, 89 C, 90C, 9] P,

339/94 C, 126 J, 136 C, 177 R, 177 E, 103, 223,

276 R, 276 T; 174/75 C, 88 C, 89; 333/33, 97

3,390,374 6/1968 Forney ....339/l77 R 3,391,380 7/l968 Robinson et al.. ..339/l43 3,533,051 10/1970 Ziegler ..339/l77 R [451 July 18, 1972 OTHER PUBLICATlONS H. H. Buggie Catalog, April, 1958, pages 20- 24 Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J Staab Attorney-William J. Keating, Ronald D. Grefe, Gerald K.

[ ABSTRACT The invention relatives to male and female coaxial cable connector sub-assemblies utilizing a universal fitting crimped to the end of a coaxial cable and threadably attached to a sub-as sembly. Each sub-assembly has a central dielectric plug pressfitted in place. A center contact or a center contact receptacle is pressed into the plug and maintained by a protecting skirt which bites into the dielectric plug, The center contact or receptacle receives a projecting portion of the coaxial cable center conductor when the universal fitting is threadably attached. In other preferred embodiments, the center contact and the corresponding center contact receptacle are each laterally supported by another dielectric plug which provides adjustment for impedance mismatch entirely through the connector sub-assembly.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures wanted July 18, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS (0 El In 99 GEORGE \AHLUAM Z|EGLER JR ;i m g m DONALD KENT HUGHES Pafienked July 18, 1972 3,678,447

2 Sheets-g 3 1 COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR SUB-ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to coaxial cable connectors, and, more specifically to coaxial cable connector subassemblies provided with a universal fitting, press-fitted dielectric plugs and retained center contacts or receptacles therefor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention relates to male and female coaxial cable connector sub-assemblied utilizing a universal fitting crimped to the end of a coaxial cable and threadably attached to a sub-assembly. Each sub-assembly has a central dielectric plug pressfitted in place and receiving a center contact or a center contact receptacle, also pressed into place and maintained by a projecting skirt which bites into the dielectric plug. The center contact or receptacle receives a projecting portion of the coaxial cable center conductor when the universal fitting is threadably attached. In other preferred embodiments, the center contact and the corresponding center contact receptacle are each laterally supported by another dielectric plug which provides adjustment for impedance mismatch entirely through the connector sub-assembly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coaxial cable connector sub-assembly utilizing a universal fitting, a press-fitted dielectric plug and a press-fitted center contact or center contact receptacle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial cable connector sub-assembly having a press-fitted dielectric plug providing lateral support for a center contact or center contact receptacle and also adjustment for impedance mismatch entirely through the sub-assembly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial cable connector sub-assembly fabricated from pressfitted component parts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a coaxial cable connector sub-assembly with a press-fitted central dielectric plug and a press-fitted center contact or center contact receptacle having a skirt for biting into the dielectric plug.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon perusal of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section of a female coaxial cable connector sub-assembly according to the inventron;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section of a male coaxial connector sub-assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail longitudinal section of a coaxial cable connector formed by the preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a modified female coaxial cable connector sub-assembly according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevation of a modified male coaxial cable connector sub-assembly according to the invention, with parts broken away and in section to illustrate the details thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With more particular reference to the drawings, there is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a female coaxial cable sub-assembly illustrated generally at l and including a female coupling member or connector block 2 having an encircling enlarged diameter collar 4 adjacent to a reduced diameter end LII portion 6. An opposed end portion is defined by a reduced diameter collar 8 immediately adjacent to a stepped enlarged diameter portion externally threaded at 10. The end portion 8 is provided with an enlarged diameter generally central cylindrical recess 12 adjacent to an axially aligned reduced diameter recess 14, in turn, adjacent to another reduced diameter recess portion 16. The other end portion 6 is provided with a generally central enlarged diameter internally threaded recess 18. A web or wall 20 is formed between the recesses 16 and 18 and is provided therethrough with a central aperture 22 provided with an enlarged diameter recess 24 adjacent to the threaded recess 18.

As more particularly shown in FIG. 3 a dielectric plug 26 is provided at one end with a relatively massive enlarged diameter collar 28 and at its other end with a relatively thin enlarged diameter flange 30. The dielectric plug 26 is press-fit into the aperture 22. More particularly, the plug 26 is manually inserted through the recess 18 with the collar 28 forcibly pressed through the aperture 22 until the thin flange 30 registers in the recess 24. The collar 28 will protrude into the recess portion 16 and will radially expand to its original dimension and become registered against the bottom wall of the recess 16. Such insertion procedure of the plug 26 is accomplished without damage to the relatively thin flange 30. The relatively massive configuration of the collar 28 prevents damage thereto as it is compressed during insertion in the aperture 22. The plug 26 is thereby retained in press-fit relationship within the female sub-assembly l and retained in place by the flange 30 and the collar 28.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the plug 26 is pre-drilled to accept insertion therein of a reduced diameter longitudinally slotted sleeve 32 and an attached enlarged diameter sleeve 34. The sleeve 34 is immediately adjacent to a center contact receptacle 36 extending longitudinally of the recesses 14 and 12. As shown the receptacle 36 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots defining tines biased radially inward to give a generally tapered configuration to the receptacle. The sleeve 34 is purposely provided with a generally inclined radially projecting circumferential skirt 38 which is forced into dielectric plug 26 during insertion of the receptacle sleeves 32 and 34. The material of the plug 26 is sufficiently resilient to allow passage thereinto of the skirt 38. However, the inclined configuration of the skirt 38 readily permits insertion thereof. However, it will bite into the resilient dielectric plug 26 to prevent removal of the receptacle once inserted. More particularly, the skirt is formed in a frusto-conical configuration tapering in the direction of insertion for the receptacle 36. It forms a circular barb preventing removal of the receptacle after insertion.

To complete the sub-assembly l, the threaded recess 18 receives a universal fitting 40 having a reduced diameter end portion 42 adjacent to a relatively enlarged diameter threaded portion 44 and a cylindrical enlarged flange 46 forming an end portion for the fitting 40. The end portion 46 is provided with an enlarged cylindrical, generally central recess adjacent to a stepped diameter recess 50, in turn, adjacent to a stepped diameter recess 52. The recess 52 receives a projecting or protruding portion 54 of the dielectric plug 26. The recess 50 receives in encircling electrical contact a coaxial cable outer conductor end portion 56. A ferrule 58 is inserted within the recess 48 and is crimped by a staking process according to the disclosure of patent application of Ser. No. 37,796 filed May 15, 1970, of George W. Ziegler, Jr. which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. With the end portion 56 thus crimped to the fitting 40, a protruding portion 60 of the coaxial cable center conductor protrudes from the end of the fitting 40. With the fitting 40 threadably inserted into the end portion 6 of the sub-assembly l, the protruding coaxial cable center conductor portion 60 is received in the portion 54 of the dielectric plug and is received in the slotted sleeve 32 in electrical contact therewith. The dielectric plug portion 54 is predrilled to receive the protruding coaxial cable center conductor portion 60 therethrough.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is generally shown a second subrassembly 62 including a male coupling member or connector block 64 provided at one end with a reduced diameter cylindrical sleeve 66 provided with a first enlarged diameter recess 68 adjacent to a second reduced diameter recess 70. The other end portion of the male connector block 64 is provided with an internally threaded recess 72, with an internal wall 74 defined between the recesses 70 and 72 and provided with a reduced diameter recess 76 in alignment with an adjacent enlarged diameter recess 78.

The recess 76 is provided with a press-fitted dieletric plug 80 similar to the plug 26 and having an annular relatively thin flange 82 at one and end received in the recess 78 and a relatively massive cylindrical collar 84. The dieletric plug 80 is insertedin a fashion similar to that of the plug 26 as described, with the collar 84 being forced through the recess 76 until the thin flange 182 registers in the recess 78. Such procedure prevents damage to the thin flange 82, while the relatively massive configuration of the collar 84 prevents damage thereto during insertion of the plug 80. The dielectric plug 80 is pre-drilled to receive therein a center contact 86 which has a construction similar to, the slotted sleeve 32, the sleeve 34 and the skirt 38 of the center contact receptacle 36. For example, the center contact 86 is provided with a skirt 88 similar in configuration to the skirt 38. More particularly, the frustoconical configuration of the skirt 88 permits ready insertion of the contact 86 in the dielectric plug 80 but acts asan annular barb to prevent removal of the contact from the plug 80. The contact 86 is further provided with a pointed center contact 90generally centrally contained within the sleeve 66. The internally threaded recess 72 receives therein a universal fitting 40' of the same configuration as the universal fitting 40. The fitting 40' receives an end portion 56' of a coaxial cable similar to the end portion 56, and a ferrule 58 similar to the ferrule 58 which crimps the end portion 56' to the fitting 40'. The coaxial cable has a protruding portion 60' of the center conductor received in the slotted sleeve portion of the contact 86. Since the dielectric plug 80 is of the same configuration as the plug 26, the parts are interchangeable. Thus, the same dielectric plug and the same universal fitting may be utilized in either the female sub-assembly 1 or the male sub-assembly 62.

At least one recess 91 is provided radially of the block 64 for insertion of a torque rod, not shown. It is important that the universal fitting 40' be inserted with a specified torque level. Thus a torque rod of a diameter and fabricated from a ductile metal, is inserted in the recess 91 and used to torque the fitting 40 in the block 64. At the selected torque level, the ductile rod will bend, indicating that sufficient torque is applied. It should be understood that such a feature may be utilized in each 'of the preferred embodiments using the disclosed universal fitting.

To complete the male sub-assembly 62, the block 64 is provided with an external partially recessed retaining ring 92 shown in rectangular cross-section. An external sleeve 94 is relatively rotatable on the block 64 and is retained in place by the retaining ring 92 which is partially recessed therein. The sleeve 94 is provided with an internally threaded recess 96 immediately adjacent to an enlarged recess 98 containing therein an annular resilient ring 100 which encircles the sleeve 66.

With reference to FIG. 3, the male sub-assembly 62 and the female sub-assembly l are readily connected together with the external sleeve 94 threadably engaged over the portion of the female sub-assembly. The collar 8 compressibly abuts against the seal 100. The sleeve 66 is received in the enlarged diameter recess 12. The contact 90 is received in the receptacle 36 and resiliently biases the tines radially outward to insure electrical contact thereto. The spacing between the contact 90 and the receptacle 36 is exaggerated for purposes of illustration.

I Withreference to FIG. 4, there is shown a modified sub-assembly 102 provided with a modified female coupling member of connector block 104 having an externally threaded end portion 106. A relatively enlarged diameter recess 108 is provided in the end portion 106 and is immediately adjacent to a reduced diameter recess 110. The remaining end portion 112 is provided with an internally threaded recess 114. An inner wall 116 is defined between the recesses and 114. A dielectric plug 118 having a relatively thin flange 120 is pressfit into the wall 116 in a direction so as not to damage the flange 120. The plug 118 is provided with a reduced diameter end portion 122 enabling it to be readily inserted in place within the wall 116 until the flange 120 is in registration therewith. The plug 118 is pre-drilled to receive therein a reduced diameter slotted sleeve 124 and an enlarged diameter slotted sleeve, center contact receptacle 126 in the form of a plurality of tines initially biased radially inwardly as shown in the Figure. The receptacle 126 is provided with an inclined radially projecting circumferential skirt 128 in the form of a frusto-conical barb inclined so as to permit insertion of the receptacle and sleeve 124 into the plug 118. The receptacle and sleeve is thus press-fit into the plug and the skirt 128 provides a circular barb preventing removal thereof. The sub-assembly 102 is additionally provided with a second plug 130 of dielectric material in the form of a sleeve and is provided with an enlarged diameter medial portion 132 adjacent to a reduced diameter end portion 134 having a cylindrical recess 136 therein. The second plug 130 is assembled over the receptacle 126 with the portion 132 press-fit against the side of the recess 130. The provision of the second plug retains the first plug 118 in place and prevents removal thereof. Additionally, the plug 130, with its reduced diameter portion 134 and a second stepped internal recess 138, together with the recess 136, adjusts for impedance mismatch all along the length of the receptacle 126. To complete the sub-assembly 102 the recess 114 threadably receives therein a universal fitting 40" similar to the fitting 40 as shown in FIG. 1. A ferrule 58" similar to the ferrule 58 of FIG. 1 electrically crimps the end portion 56" of a coaxial cable to the fitting 40", in similar fashion shown in FIG. 1. A protruding end portion 60" of a coaxial cable center conductor is received in a pre-drilled protruding portion of the dieletric plug 118 and electrically within the sleeve 124.

With reference to FIG. 5, a modified male sub-assembly is shown generally at 140 and includes a male coupling member or connector block 142 having an internally threaded recess 144 threadably receiving therein a universal fitting 146 similar to the universal fitting 40 of FIG. 1. The block 142 is further provided with an elongated sleeve 148 provided therein with a generally enlarged recess 150. An inner wall 152 is defined between the recesses 144 and and is provided therein with a dielectric plug 118 similar in configuration to the plug 118 of FIG. 4. The plug 118' receives in press-fitting engagement therein a male contact 154 having'a slotted sleeve portion 124 and a skirt 128. The sleeve portion 124 and the skirt 128' is similar in configuration to the corresponding parts 124 and 128 of the embodiment of FIG. 4. The skirt 128 is of frusto-conical configuration and readily permits press-fit insertion of the contact 154 but prevents removal thereof, in a fashion similarly as described with respect to the skirt 128. The contact 154 includes a pointed center contact 156 centrally within the sleeve 148. The embodiment 140 also includes a second sleeve configured dielectric plug press-fit against the wall defining the recess 150. The plug includes an inner diameter portion 160 press-fit in surrounding relationship over the contact 154 and a reduced diameter portion 162 receiving a portion of the plug 118' and in spaced encircling relationship thereover. The plug 158 provides impedance mismatch adjustment all along the length of the contact 154 and retains the plug 118' in place. Recesses 164 and 166 are provided in the plug 158 to provide impedance mismatch adjustment in accordance with U8. Pat. No. 3,437,960 to George W. Ziegler, Jr. To complete the sub-assembly 140 an external sleeve 168 is rotatably mounted over the plug 142 and is retained by a retaining ring 170. The internal recess 172 of the sleeve 168 is internally threaded. During mating connection of the sub-assemblies 102 and 140 the internal recess and providing a male or female coaxial connector for coaxial cables.

What is claimed is: 1. A coaxial connector sub-assembly, comprising: a universal fitting, a coaxial cable crimped to said universal fitting,

I a coupling member receiving said fitting,

a web internally of said coupling member,

a first dielectric plug press-fit within said web,

said first plug including an outer flange portion in registration on said web,

a sleeve of conductive material press-fit in said first plug,

an annular inclined barb on said sleeve and engaged in said first plug,

a receptacle at one end of said sleeve and internally of said first plug and receiving the center conductor of said cable therein,

a center contact means at the other end of said sleeve and protruding externally of said first plug, said center contact means in spaced relationship from and internally within said coupling member, and

a second dielectric plug press-fit internally of said coupling member and receiving said center contact means therein, a portion of said first dielectric plug protruding from said web and received internally of said second dielectric plug.

2. A coaxial connector sub-assembly, comprising: a universal fitting, a coaxial cable crimped to said universal fitting,

a coupling member receiving said fitting,

a web internally of said coupling member,

a first dielectric plug press-fit within said web,

said first plug including an outer flange portion in registration on said web,

a sleeve of conductive material press-fit in said first plug,

an annular inclined barb on said sleeve and engaged in said first plug,

a receptacle at one end of said sleeve and internally of said first plug and receiving the center conductor of said cable therein,

a center contact means at the other end of said sleeve and protruding externally of said first plug, said center contact means in spaced relationship from and internally within said coupling member, said universal fitting being generally cylindrical and externally threaded, said coupling member being complimentary threaded and threadably receiving said universal fitting therein, and an enlarged flange portion provided on said universal fitting for external engagement on said coupling member.

3. The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein, said universal fitting is fabricated from an electrically conductive material, said coaxial cable is received within said universal fitting, and a deformable ferrule of conducting material is wedgingly inserted between said coaxial cable and said universal fitting in order to crimp said coaxial cable to said universal fitting.

4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said first plug includes an enlarged outer collar portion protruding from said web, and said web is received between and engaged by said flange portion and said collar portion.

5. The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein said flange portion is compressible to allow insertion of said flange portion through said web, and said flange portion is expandable after compression in order that said web is received between and en aged by said flange portion and said collar portion.

6. T e structure as recited ll'l claim 2, and further including:

an aperture provided in said coupling member for insertion therein of a torque rod for applying a selected torque level to the fitting within the coupling member. 

1. A coaxial connector sub-assembly, comprising: a universal fitting, a coaxial cable crimped to said universal fitting, a coupling member receiving said fitting, a web internally of said coupling member, a first dielectric plug press-fit within said web, said first plug including an outer flange portion in registration on said web, a sleeve of conductive material press-fit in said first plug, an annular inclined barb on said sleeve and engaged in said first plug, a receptacle at one end of said sleeve and internally of said first plug and receiving the center conductor of said cable therein, a center contact means at the other end of said sleeve and protruding externally of said first plug, said center contact means in spaced relationship from and internAlly within said coupling member, and a second dielectric plug press-fit internally of said coupling member and receiving said center contact means therein, a portion of said first dielectric plug protruding from said web and received internally of said second dielectric plug.
 2. A coaxial connector sub-assembly, comprising: a universal fitting, a coaxial cable crimped to said universal fitting, a coupling member receiving said fitting, a web internally of said coupling member, a first dielectric plug press-fit within said web, said first plug including an outer flange portion in registration on said web, a sleeve of conductive material press-fit in said first plug, an annular inclined barb on said sleeve and engaged in said first plug, a receptacle at one end of said sleeve and internally of said first plug and receiving the center conductor of said cable therein, a center contact means at the other end of said sleeve and protruding externally of said first plug, said center contact means in spaced relationship from and internally within said coupling member, said universal fitting being generally cylindrical and externally threaded, said coupling member being complimentary threaded and threadably receiving said universal fitting therein, and an enlarged flange portion provided on said universal fitting for external engagement on said coupling member.
 3. The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein, said universal fitting is fabricated from an electrically conductive material, said coaxial cable is received within said universal fitting, and a deformable ferrule of conducting material is wedgingly inserted between said coaxial cable and said universal fitting in order to crimp said coaxial cable to said universal fitting.
 4. The structure as recited in claim 3, wherein, said first plug includes an enlarged outer collar portion protruding from said web, and said web is received between and engaged by said flange portion and said collar portion.
 5. The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein said flange portion is compressible to allow insertion of said flange portion through said web, and said flange portion is expandable after compression in order that said web is received between and engaged by said flange portion and said collar portion.
 6. The structure as recited in claim 2, and further including: an aperture provided in said coupling member for insertion therein of a torque rod for applying a selected torque level to the fitting within the coupling member. 